Inductor box for an agricultural implement having compression limiters

ABSTRACT

An inductor box for an agricultural implement having compression limiters. One inductor box includes a housing having a first side configured to receive an agricultural product from a tank. The first side has a sealable surface, and the sealable surface has plates attached thereto. The inductor box includes a first gasket disposed on the sealable surface and configured to establish a seal between the sealable surface and a corresponding surface of the tank. The plates are configured to extend through respective openings in the gasket, and to block compression of the first gasket beyond a desired compression limit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/882,593, entitled “AN INDUCTOR BOX FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTHAVING COMPRESSION LIMITERS”, filed Oct. 14, 2015, which is a divisionalof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/737,657, entitled “AN INDUCTORBOX FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT HAVING COMPRESSION LIMITERS”, filedJan. 9, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,173,338. Each of the above-referencedapplications is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to ground working equipment, such asagricultural equipment, and more specifically, to an agriculturalimplement having an inductor box with compression limiters.

Generally, planting implements (e.g., planters) are towed behind atractor or other work vehicle via a mounting bracket secured to a rigidframe of the implement. These planting implements typically includemultiple row units distributed across the width of the implement. Eachrow unit is configured to deposit seeds at a desired depth beneath thesoil surface, thereby establishing rows of planted seeds. For example,each row unit may include a ground engaging tool or opener (e.g., anopener disc) that forms a seeding path for seed deposition into thesoil. In certain configurations, a gauge wheel is positioned a verticaldistance above the opener to establish a desired trench depth for seeddeposition into the soil. As the implement travels across a field, theopener excavates a trench into the soil, and seeds are deposited intothe trench. In certain row units, the opener is followed by a packerwheel that packs the soil on top of the deposited seeds.

Certain planting implements include a remote seed tank, and a pneumaticdistribution system configured to convey seeds from the tank to each rowunit. For example, the pneumatic distribution system may include aninductor box positioned beneath the seed tank. The inductor box isconfigured to receive seeds from the tank, to fluidize the seeds into anair/seed mixture, and to distribute the air/seed mixture to the rowunits via a network of pneumatic hoses/conduits. Each row unit, in turn,receives the seeds from the pneumatic hoses/conduits, and directs theseeds to a metering system. The metering system is configured to providea flow of seeds to a seed tube for deposition into the soil. Byoperating the metering system at a particular speed, a desired seedspacing may be established as the implement traverses a field.

The inductor box may include one or more gaskets for sealing a junctionbetween the inductor box and an adjacent structure (e.g., to blockairflow through the junction). For example, a gasket may be disposed ata junction between the inductor box and the seed tank. Unfortunately,the one or more gaskets of the inductor box may not provide an adequateseal when compressed above or below a desired compression range.Moreover, over compression of the one or more gaskets may decrease theusable life of such gaskets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, an inductor box for an agricultural implementincludes a housing having a first side configured to receive anagricultural product from a tank. The first side has a sealable surface,and the sealable surface has plates attached thereto. The inductor boxincludes a first gasket disposed on the sealable surface and configuredto establish a seal between the sealable surface and a correspondingsurface of the tank. The plates are configured to extend throughrespective openings in the gasket, and to block compression of the firstgasket beyond a desired compression limit.

In another embodiment, an inductor box for an agricultural implementincludes a housing having a first side configured to receive an airflowfrom an air supply. The first side has a sealable surface. The housingincludes a set of tabs extending from the sealable surface. The inductorbox also includes a first gasket disposed on the sealable surface andconfigured to establish a seal between the sealable surface and a firstcover plate. The set of tabs are configured to block compression of thefirst gasket beyond a desired compression limit.

In a further embodiment, a method of manufacturing an inductor boxincludes forming a housing of the inductor box from a single sheet ofmetal. The method of manufacturing also includes forming a set of tabson the housing. The set of tabs is configured to block compression of afirst gasket coupled to a first end of the housing beyond a firstdesired compression limit, and to block compression of a second gasketcoupled to a second end of the housing beyond a second desiredcompression limit.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement configured to deposit seeds into a soil surface;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a seed tank of theagricultural implement of FIG. 1 having an inductor box positionedbeneath the seed tank;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inductor box ofFIG. 2 having compression limiters;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the inductor box ofFIG. 2 having a compression limiter;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a housing of theinductor box of FIG. 2 having integrated compression limiters;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the inductor box of FIG.2 having a housing with integrated compression limiters; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the inductor box of FIG.2, illustrating compression limiters being attached to the housing ofthe inductor box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement 10 configured to deposit seeds into a soil surface. In theillustrated embodiment, the implement 10 is configured to be towed alonga direction of travel 12 by a work vehicle, such as a tractor or otherprime mover. The work vehicle may be coupled to the implement 10 by ahitch assembly 14. As illustrated, the hitch assembly 14 is coupled to amain frame assembly 16 of the implement 10 to facilitate towing of theimplement 10 in the direction of travel 12. In the illustratedembodiment, the frame assembly 16 is coupled to a tool bar 18 thatsupports multiple row units 20. Each row unit 20 is configured todeposit seeds at a desired depth beneath the soil surface, therebyestablishing rows of planted seeds. The implement 10 also includes seedtanks 22, and a pneumatic distribution system configured to convey seedsfrom the tanks to the row units 20. In certain embodiments, thepneumatic distribution system includes an inductor box positionedbeneath each seed tank 22. Each inductor box is configured to receiveseeds from a respective tank, to fluidize the seeds into an air/seedmixture, and to distribute the air/seed mixture to the row units 20 viaa network of pneumatic hoses/conduits.

In certain embodiments, each row unit 20 includes a residue manager, anopening assembly, a seed tube, closing discs, and a press wheel. Theresidue manager includes a rotating wheel having multiple tillage pointsor fingers that break up crop residue, thereby preparing the soil forseed deposition. The opening assembly includes a gauge wheel and anopener disc. The gauge wheel may be positioned a vertical distance abovethe opener disc to establish a desired trench depth for seed depositioninto the soil. As the row unit travels across a field, the opener discexcavates a trench into the soil for seed deposition. The seed tube,which may be positioned behind the opening assembly, directs a seed froma metering system into the excavated trench. The closing discs thendirect the excavated soil into the trench to cover the planted seed.Finally, the press wheel packs the soil on top of the seed with adesired pressure.

While the illustrated implement 10 includes 24 row units 20, it shouldbe appreciated that alternative implements may include more or fewer rowunits 20. For example, certain implements 10 may include 6, 8, 12, 16,24, 32, or 36 row units, or more. In addition, the spacing between rowunits may be particularly selected based on the type of crop beingplanting. For example, the row units may be spaced 30 inches from oneanother for planting corn, and 15 inches from one another for plantingsoy beans.

The inductor box of the pneumatic distribution system may include one ormore gaskets for sealing a junction between the inductor box and anadjacent structure (e.g., to block airflow through the junction). Forexample, a gasket may be disposed at a junction between the inductor boxand the seed tank 22. Moreover, the inductor box may include compressionlimiting structures to block compression of the gasket beyond a desiredcompression limit. For example, the inductor box may include metalplates attached (e.g., bonded, welded, etc.) to a sealable surface ofthe inductor box. The metal plates may be configured to abut a surfaceof the seed tank 22 to block compression of the gasket beyond a desiredcompression limit.

In another example, a gasket may be disposed at a junction between aside of the inductor box and a cover plate. The side of the inductor boxmay include a set of tabs integrally formed as part of the housing ofthe inductor box. The set of tabs may abut the cover plate to blockcompression of the gasket beyond a desired compression limit. Byblocking over compression of gaskets of the inductor box, a suitableseal may be provided at the junctions between the inductor box and anadjacent structure, thereby improving airflow through the inductor box.Thus, distribution of agricultural product through the pneumaticdistribution system may be performed more efficiently. Furthermore, thelongevity of the gaskets may be increased.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the seed tank 22 of theagricultural implement 10 of FIG. 1 having an inductor box 24 positionedbeneath the seed tank 22. An upper side 26 of the inductor box 24 isattached to the seed tank 22 and configured to receive agriculturalproduct (e.g., seed, fertilizer, etc.) from the seed tank 22. Moreover,a side 28 of the inductor box 24 is configured to be coupled to an airsupply to receive an airflow for mixing air with the agriculturalproduct. The air/agricultural product mixture is directed from theinductor box 24 toward row units 20 through output ports 30. Asillustrated, the inductor box 24 includes a side 32 that may be sealed,thereby facilitating air/product flow to the output ports 30. Each ofthe sides 26, 28, and 32 may include a gasket for sealing the inductorbox 24 to an adjacent structure. As discussed above, the inductor box 24may also include compression limiters to block compression of thegaskets, beyond a desired compression limit, thereby improving the sealbetween the inductor box 24 and the adjacent structure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inductor box 24 ofFIG. 2 having compression limiters. The inductor box 24 includes ahousing 34 having a sealable surface 35 configured to be sealed to theseed tank 22. As illustrated, a gasket 36 is disposed on the sealablesurface 35 and is configured to seal the junction between the sealablesurface 35 and a corresponding surface of the seed tank 22. The gasket36 includes openings 37 that enable compression limiters 38 to passthrough and directly contact the seed tank 22. Accordingly, duringassembly, the compression limiters 38 are configured to abut the seedtank 22 to block compression of the gasket 36 beyond a desiredcompression limit. The compression limiters 38 are attached to thesealable surface 35, such as by bonding, welding, and so forth.Moreover, the compression limiters 38 may be manufactured using anysuitable material (e.g., metal, polymer, etc.). For example, in certainembodiments, the compression limiters 38 may be metal plates that arewelded to the sealable surface 35. In other embodiments, the compressionlimiters 38 may be polymer plates that are bonded to the sealablesurface 35. Although six compression limiters 38 are illustrated with atleast one compression limiter 38 on each side of a perimeter of thesealable surface 35, the inductor box 24 may have more or fewercompression limiters 38 disposed at any suitable position on thesealable surface 35.

The side 28 of the inductor box 24 includes a gasket 40 that seals acover plate 42 to the housing 34 of the inductor box 24. Moreover, theside 32 includes a gasket 44 that seals a cover plate 46 to the housing34 of the inductor box 24. Each side 28 and 32 may include compressionlimiters to block compression of the gaskets 40 and 44 beyond a desiredcompression limit. By using compression limiters on the inductor box 24,the sealing of junctions may be improved, thereby facilitating improvedefficiency of the inductor box 24.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the inductor box 24of FIG. 2 having the compression limiter 38. As illustrated, the gasket36 is disposed between the sealable surface 35 of the housing 34 and acorresponding surface 47 of the seed tank 22. The compression limiter 38is disposed within one of the openings 37 in the gasket 36. In theillustrated embodiment, bolts 48 and nuts 50 are used to secure theinductor box 24 to the seed tank 22. As the bolts 48 are tightened, thegasket 36 is compressed between the sealable surface 35 and thecorresponding surface 47 of the seed tank 22. After the gasket 36 iscompressed to a desired compression limit, the compression limiter 38abuts the sealable surface 35 and the corresponding surface 47 of theseed tank 22, thereby blocking further compression of the gasket 36.Thus, the gasket 36 is not over compressed. As may be appreciated, athickness of the compression limiter 38 is selected based on the desiredcompression limit of the gasket 36. By blocking over compression of thegasket 36, the longevity of the gasket 36 may be increased.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the housing 34 of theinductor box 24 of FIG. 2 having integrated compression limiters. Asillustrated, the housing 34 includes sides 54, 28, and 32. In certainembodiments, the housing 34 may be formed from a single piece ofmaterial. For example, the housing 34 may be formed from a single sheetof metal by bending the metal to form the sides 54, 28, and 32. Thehousing 34 includes compression limiters 60 and 62 (e.g., tabs)extending from respective sides 28 and 32. The compression limiters 60and 62 may be integrally formed as part of the housing 34. For example,the compression limiters 60 and 62 may be formed by cutting the singlepiece of material used to form the housing 34 into a desired shape.Thus, the compression limiters 60 and 62 may be built into the housing34.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the inductor box 24 ofFIG. 2 having the housing 34 with integrated compression limiters 60 and62. The housing 34 includes a sealable surface 64 on the side 28. Thecompression limiters 60 extend from the sealable surface 64. Duringassembly, the cover plate 42 is attached to the side 28 with the gasket40 disposed between the sealable surface 64 and the cover plate 42. Thecompression limiters 60 abut the cover plate 42 to block compression ofthe gasket 40 beyond a desired compression limit.

Moreover, the housing 34 includes a sealable surface 66 on the side 32.The compression limiters 62 extend from the sealable surface 66. Duringassembly, the cover plate 46 is attached to the side 32, with the gasket44 disposed between the sealable surface 66 and the cover plate 46. Thecompression limiters 62 abut the cover plate 46 to block compression ofthe gasket 44 beyond a desired compression limit.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the inductor box 24 ofFIG. 2, illustrating compression limiters 38 being attached to thehousing 34 of the inductor box 24. As illustrated, the compressionlimiters 38 are attached to the sealable surface 35 of the housing 34.For example, the compression limiters 38 may be metal plates that arewelded or bonded to the housing 34. The gasket 36 is disposed on thesealable surface 35 such that the compression limiters 38 extend throughopenings 37 in the gasket 36. Once the gasket 36 is disposed on thesealable surface 35, the inductor box 24 may be attached to the seedtank 22. While the inductor box 24 is being attached to the seed tank22, the compression limiters 38 are configured to abut the surface 47 ofthe seed tank 22, and to block compression of the gasket 36 beyond adesired compression limit.

As described herein, the compression limiters 38, 60, and 62 may enableproper compression of the gaskets 36, 40, and 44, and may block overcompression of the gaskets 36, 40, and 44. Thus, the gaskets 36, 40, and44 may be properly compressed, and may provide a desired seal. As such,the longevity of the gaskets may be increased by decreasing wear on thegaskets. Moreover, distribution of agricultural product through thepneumatic distribution system may be performed more efficiently due toreduced losses through the junctions.

The term “desired compression limit” as used herein may refer to acompression ratio, a compression distance, a compression force, etc. Forexample, the compression ratio may refer to an amount the gasket iscompressed relative to an amount that the gasket is capable of beingcompressed. Furthermore, the compression ratio may refer to a compressedthickness of the gasket relative to an uncompressed thickness of thegasket. As described above, a desired compression ratio may be athickness of the compression limiters 38 and/or the compression limiters60 relative to an uncompressed thickness of the gasket that is within asuitable use range for the gasket. As another example, a compressiondistance may be the difference between a compressed thickness of thegasket and an uncompressed thickness of the gasket. As described above,a desired compression distance may be a difference between anuncompressed thickness of the gasket and the thickness of thecompression limiters 38 and/or the compression limiters 60 that iswithin a suitable use range for the gasket. A compression force may bean amount of force needed to compress a gasket. For example, a desiredcompression force may be an amount of force needed to compress anuncompressed gasket to the thickness of the compression limiters 38and/or the compression limiters 60 that is within a suitable use rangefor the gasket. As may be appreciated, a data sheet or otherspecification material for a gasket may define suitable compressionratios, compression distances, and/or compression forces for the gasket.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing an inductor box,comprising: forming at least a portion of a housing of the inductor boxfrom a single sheet of material; and forming a plurality of tabs on thehousing, wherein the plurality of tabs is integrally formed on thesingle sheet of material, and the plurality of tabs extends from a firstsealable surface on a first side of the housing; disposing a firstgasket on the first sealable surface; disposing a first cover plate onthe first gasket, such that the first gasket establishes a first sealbetween the first sealable surface and a corresponding surface of thefirst cover plate; wherein the plurality of tabs is configured to abutthe corresponding surface of the first cover plate to block compressionof the first gasket.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprising coupling thefirst cover plate to the housing.
 3. The method of claim 1, comprisingcoupling a plurality of plates directly to a second sealable surface ofa second side of the housing, wherein the plurality of plates isconfigured to block compression of a second gasket coupled to the secondside of the housing beyond a second compression limit.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, comprising attaching a tank to the second side of the housing.5. The method of claim 4, wherein each plate of the plurality of platesis configured to extend through a respective opening in the secondgasket to directly contact a corresponding surface of the tank.
 6. Themethod of 5, comprising attaching the second gasket to the secondsealable surface such that each plate of the plurality of plates extendsthrough the respective opening, wherein the second gasket is configuredto engage the corresponding surface of the tank.
 7. The method of claim3, wherein coupling the plurality of plates directly to the secondsealable surface comprises welding or bonding at least one of theplurality of plates to the second sealable surface.
 8. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the plurality of plates comprises at least four plates.9. The method of claim 1, wherein a portion of the plurality of tabsextends from a third sealable surface on a third side of the housing.10. The method of claim 9, comprising: disposing a third gasket on thethird sealable surface; disposing a second cover plate on the thirdgasket, such that the third gasket establishes a second seal between thethird sealable surface and a corresponding surface of the second coverplate; wherein the portion of the plurality of tabs is configured toabut the corresponding surface of the second cover plate to blockcompression of the third gasket beyond a third compression limit. 11.The method of claim 10, comprising coupling the second cover plate tothe housing.
 12. A method of manufacturing an inductor box, comprising:forming at least a portion of a housing of the inductor box from asingle sheet of material; forming a plurality of tabs on the housing,wherein the plurality of tabs is integrally formed on the single sheetof material, and the plurality of tabs is configured to blockcompression of a first gasket coupled to a first end of the housingbeyond a first compression limit and to block compression of a secondgasket coupled to a second end of the housing beyond a secondcompression limit; and welding a plurality of plates to a third end ofthe housing, wherein the plurality of plates is configured to blockcompression of a third gasket coupled to the third end of the housingbeyond a third compression limit.
 13. The method of claim 12, comprisingattaching the first gasket to the first end of the housing and attachingthe second gasket to the second end of the housing.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, comprising attaching a first cover plate to the first gasketand attaching a second cover plate to the second gasket.
 15. The methodof claim 12, comprising attaching a tank to the third end of thehousing.